MANAGERS' VIEWS: HUGHTON AND HECKINGBOTTOM

CHRIS HUGHTON praised the contribution of Anthony Knockaert so far this season, following the Frenchman’s pivotal involvement in Glenn Murray’s opening goal at the Amex.

The Seagulls boss believes Knockaert has played a crucial part in Albion’s early-season form, and touched on the winger’s impressive goal tally.

He said, “I think we’ve had some really good moments, and Anthony is playing at a level which can cause any team problems in this division.

“He’s going through a good period at the moment and if you assess his game on Saturday, he played a big part in the first goal.

“He’s got four goals for us this season from a wide position. He was up against some tough defenders and took some kicks, but overall, he’s been producing for us, which is the most important thing."

Hughton was pleased with the build-up play which led to Albion’s opening goal, and highlighted set-pieces as a strong area within their game.

“It was a very good goal, and probably our best of the season. We’ll do well to score a better counter-attacking goal than that.

“In that second half of last season, we were very strong there [set-pieces], and it was about the delivery. [Jiri] Skalak and Knockaert give us real good quality with their delivery.

“You’d like to think, with [Lewis] Dunk, [Shane] Duffy and [Glenn] Murray, we’ve got players that can attack the ball really well, but the quality has to be there, and it was a super ball for the goal."

PAUL HECKINGBOTTOM was unsatisfied with the start Barnsley made at the Amex, and felt his team lacked the quality to take anything away from the Seagulls.

The Tykes boss gave Albion full credit for their 2-0 victory on the south coast, and was frustrated by his team’s below-par performance.

He said, “We’re disappointed, we started the game poorly and took a long time to get going against a good side, so we didn’t really give ourselves a chance.

“We weren’t as good with the ball as we usually are and didn’t keep the ball for long spells, or pass it quick enough.

“Out of possession, we didn’t have the same intensity or energy to our game. Brighton played well and deserved the win, but we are disappointed with how we played.”

Heckingbottom was honest about the tough task his newly-promoted team face this season, and understands the consistent level of performance needed to win.

“We know we’ve got to play at our best to win games in this league, and even then sometimes that might not be good enough, but we weren’t at our best and came unstuck.

“I think it’s the first time as a collective that the performance was below par. We know that, the boys know that. We did gradually get better as the game wore on, but it had already got away from us with the second goal.”